Modesto Bee Article
By Frank George, Hughson Chronicle Staff Writer
last updated: September 15, 2009
Although there haven’t been any confirmed swine flu cases in Hughson, health care officials are warning people to get both H1N1 and regular flu shots.
Nancy C. Fisher, director public health nursing at Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, said seasonal flu vaccine is available from some medical providers and community sites such as pharmacies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website warns that the H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it’s intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine.
Fisher explained that her department will begin providing adult seasonal flu clinics Sept. 21. The schedule is posted on the HSA website,
www.hsahealth.org.
“When we receive confirmation of shipment for vaccine for children,” she added, “we will post a schedule of community flu clinics for both adults and children.”
Public health charges $20 for adults and $10 for children for seasonal flu. It also takes MediCal and Medicare part B. It does not take private insurance or Medicare Managed care, but no one will be refused due to inability to pay.
“Other vaccine providers will have different fee schedules,” Fisher added, “and many people can get the vaccine from their personal physician’s office.”
Still, Fisher and other health service agency officials aren’t sure when they might start receiving the actual H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine.
“Yes, it is recommended that everyone receive both vaccines eventually,” Fisher confirmed. “But the CDC has identified high risk groups who should be priorities for each vaccine.”
The groups recommended to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine include:
- Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated
- Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread
- Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
